Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson once said: "Attack wins you matches, defence wins you the titles", and his managerial career with Manchester United proves the fact. He won 38 trophies with Manchester United. Scoring goals is an integral part of the game, and at times the efforts of defenders get unnoticed. However, nowadays the limelight is equally shared by attackers and defenders and due to this reason, clubs are spending huge money on defenders to strengthen and organise their squad.
Here, in this slideshow, we will discuss the 5 teams which conceded the fewest goals in a single Premier League season.
#5 Liverpool (2005-06)
The Merseyside club finished 3rd in the 2005-06 Premier League season. Chelsea were crowned champions with Manchester United finishing second and Liverpool third. The Reds conceded only 25 goals in the Premier League, while, on the other hand, scored 72 goals. Out of 38 matches played, they won 25 matches, lost 6 matches and 7 matches ended all square for them.
Liverpool won the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during the 2005-06 season. Pepe Reina was their first choice goalkeeper and he kept 21 clean sheets in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard was their top scorer with 10 goals in 32 matches.
#4 Chelsea (2005-06)
Chelsea celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2005, and they marked the occasion by winning the 2005-06 Premier League. The Blues conceded only 22 goals in the whole Premier League campaign. Furthermore, they scored 72 goals in the Premier League. Chelsea just lost 5 matches in the league, winning 29 and drawing 4 matches.
The London-based club won the Premier League and FA Community Shield in the 2005-06 season. They also reached the FA Cup semi-finals and got knocked out in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
England and Chelsea legendary midfielder Frank Lampard was Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals in 35 matches. Chelsea kept 20 clean sheets in the Premier League. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Gallas were selected in the PFA team of the year.
#3 Manchester United (2007-08)
Manchester United won the 2007-08 Premier League, and it was their 10th Premier League title in 16 appearances. The Red Devils conceded only 22 goals in the Premier League and scored 80 goals during the season. Edwin Van Der Sar was the first choice goalkeeper, and he kept 21 clean sheets in the Premier League.
The Manchester-based club won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League in 2008, but, failed to complete the treble as they lost to Portsmouth by 0-1 in the sixth Round of FA Cup.
#2 Arsenal (1998-99)
The 1998-99 season ended with Arsenal finishing second in the Premier League with just 1 point behind champions Manchester United. However, despite finishing second in the league, Arsenal's defensive record was second best in the Premier League history.
The Gunners conceded only 17 goals in the Premier League. All credit goes to their defensive line consisting of Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams and Martin Keown and their goalkeeper David Seaman. The latter kept 23 clean sheets in the Premier League.
#1 Chelsea (2004-05)
At the number one position, we have none other than the mighty Blues, Chelsea, who won the 2004-05 Premier League with just 1 defeat in the league. Out of 38 matches played, they won 29 matches, lost 1, and 8 matches ended all square for them. They conceded only 15 goals in the Premier League. On the other hand, they scored 72 goals. Peter Cech was their first choice goalkeeper, and he helped Chelsea in keeping 25 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Chelsea won the Premier League and League Cup in the 2004-05 season. And they also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League where they lost to Liverpool by 1-0 (Aggregate). Frank Lampard was Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League as well as in all competitions. He scored 13 goals in the Premier League and 19 goals in all competitions.